As a result of our instructor's extensive background in a variety of martial arts, he has embodied the concept, "Philosophy Of Many Ways", as represented by the use and meaning of both Korean and Chinese characters and expressions on our school emblem. The Korean characters for North American Tae Kwon Do, phonetically pronounced, "Buk Mi Tie Kwon Doh", represent our Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan roots. As such, our training heavily emphasizes kicking. The Chinese characters, left to right across the Black Belt design, for which the phonetic (Pin Yin) translation is, "Wan Fa Tong Yuan", embodies a broad concept of training as reflected in their meaning: "10,000 Ways Belong to the Same Root". With this end in mind, Master Mondschein has introduced various philosophical perspectives, additional close range "fist-fighting" methods, joint locking and other self-defense techniques, as well as weapons into the training program.

History

The University of Rochester Tae Kwon Do Club was founded in 1972 by Raymond Mondschein after receiving his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan that May from Grand Master Son. In 2000, Master Mondschein, with support from his senior students founded the parent organization under which we currently train, North American Tae Kwon Do, with member schools in order of establishment in: Rochester, NY; Houston, TX; Portland, OR; Corpus Christi, TX.

Instructor - Master Raymond Mondschein

Master Mondschein has trained in Tae Kwon Do since 1970, before which he participated in wrestling. In May 2003 Master Mondschein was promoted to 6th Dan by Grand Master Kim, Dong-Hoon, 9th Dan, President, Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan Schools, Tucson, AZ, as certified by GM Uhm, Woon-Kyu, President of Kukkiwon - Chung Do Kwan, South Korea. In addition to Tae Kwon Do he studies Iaido Samurai Sword achieving his Shodan in 2004 from Sensei Cindy Jones of Collamer-Jones Karate, where he also studies Kali (Filipino Fighting Sticks). He has periodically trained in Chen Style Taijiquan including weapons with Bob Loce of Rochester Chen Style Taijiquan. Other background includes some exposure to Muy Thai, Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do, Ju Jitsu and Judo. To the traditional teaching of "empty hand" martial art, he has introduced Japanese and Isshinryu Bo Kata and Double Dagger Form from Praying Mantis Kung Fu - 7 Star Northern Shaolin. Most recently he has introduced Korean Bayonet Form I as instructed by Master Rico Dos Anjos, Westchester Tae Kwon Do, New York, NY.

A timeline of Master Mondschein, University of Rochester TKD, and NATKD history:

1972

Master Mondschein receives his 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan from GM Son

1972

University of Rochester Tae Kwon Do club is founded in Rochester, NY

1975

Master Mondschein receives his 2nd Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan from GM Son

1979

Master Mondschein receives his 3rd Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan from GM Son

1983

Master Mondschein receives his 4th Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan from GM Son

1990

Master Mondschein receives his 5th Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan from GM Son

2000

North American Tae Kwon Do is founded

2003

Master Mondschein receives his 6th Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung
Do Kwan from GM Kim and GM Uhm